[Treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock]

Presse Med. 2004 Feb 28;33(4):265-8; discussion 269. doi: 10.1016/s0755-4982(04)98553-3.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The 3 poles of treatment. These are the hemodynamic management, early antibiotherapy and more specific treatments, based on improved physiopathological knowledge. From a hemodynamic point of view The first stage must always be to detect and correct the hypovolemia. The administration of vasopressive amines (or vasoconstricting amines) is mandatory in the case of septic shock. The choice of the antibiotics In the absence of microbiological proof, it is based on the germs most often encountered in infections of the suspected site and community or nosocomial nature of the infection. The antibiotherapy must be set-up as early as possible once the bacteriological samples have been. Treatments based on the physiopathology The activated protein C possesses pro-fibrinolytic, anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties; it obtained marketing Authorization in Europe for patients with severe sepsis and at least 2 organ failures or hypotension. Low-dose corticosteroids should be prescribed in the case of septic shock with prolonged use of catecholamines, and if possible following a test with Synacthène(R) (relative adrenal insufficiency). Intensive insulin therapy is aimed at maintaining normal glycemia in the patients for as long as possible.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Blood Coagulation
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Hypovolemia / therapy
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Protein C / therapeutic use
  • Sepsis / blood
  • Sepsis / diagnosis
  • Sepsis / physiopathology
  • Sepsis / therapy*
  • Shock, Septic / blood
  • Shock, Septic / drug therapy
  • Shock, Septic / physiopathology
  • Shock, Septic / therapy*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / blood
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Blood Glucose
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Protein C
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents